Great Mosque in Hyderabad is one of the grandest masjid in the city. It is popularly known as the great masjid of the Golkonda tombs.
This beautiful masjid is next to the tomb of Hayat Bakshi Beguminside inside the Qutub Shahi Tomb Complex. It was built in 1666 A.D. by Hayat Bakshi Begum's son, the 7th Sultan Abdullah.
The architecture has a distinctive style that blends Persian, Pashtun and Hindu forms. The Prayer Hall is 76 feet wide and has three bays which are 51 feet deep. The front has a five arched facade.
Fifteen cupolas decorate the roof and the prayer-hall is flanked by two lofty minarets. The inscriptions in the masjid are in calligraphic art.
The Charminar in Hyderabad, is a historic monument as well as mosque that is visited by tourista all over the world. The ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah built this magnificent structure in 1591.
It is part of old city and was constructed at the intersection of the historical trade route that connects the markets of Golkonda with the port city of Machilipatnam.
It is built using Indo-Islamic architecture style, incorporating Persian architectural elements. It is constructed using limestone, mortar and marble. It is a square structure with each side having 66 feet wide grand arches in the four directions. There are 149 winding steps inside each of the minaret to reach the upper floor.
The minarets at each corner are exquisitely shaped with three storeyes rise to a height 0f 56 meters. Each minaret is crowned by a bulbous dome with dainty petal-like designs at the base.
The mosque is located at the western end of the open roof; remaining part of the roof served as a court during the Qutb Shahi times. The interiors of the dome is beautifully carved.
The clock on the four cardinal directions was added in 1889. At the base of Charminar there was originally a water cistern at the center with a small fountain. The every inch of the structure is beautifully carved.
Rani Sipri's Mosque located in the old area of Ahmadabad is one of the ancient monuments that is known for its elegance. the construction of this medieval mosque was commissioned in 1514 by Queen Sipri the wife of Mahmud Begada herself.
It is also known as Masjid-e-Nagina (Jewel of a mosque) because of its elegant proportions and slender minarets.
This mosque even though small in size it impresses all with the intricate cravings on its walls. The artistic work in the mosque are a reflection of the beautiful craftsmanship of the bygone era.
The slender and ornate minarets of this magnificent mosque are the major attraction.
Jama Masjid in Junagadh, the mosque inside the Uppekot Fort is today in ruins but still worth a visit. This mosque can be seen once one enters the fort very close to the medival cannons inside the fort.
Muhammad Begada, who conquered this fort in 1470 AD, celebrated his victory by converting the palace of Ranakdevi into a mosque.
There are more than 140 pillars in the mosque. It has a courtyard with three octagonal openings which may once have been covered by domes.
This masjid inside the Citadel of Champaner, in Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park is one of the many beautiful mosque built during the reign of Mahmud Begda between 15th and 16th century.
It is rectangular on plan with a double storeyed main prayer hall. There are two minarets on either side of the central arched entrance.
The windows provided with pillared balcony are beautiful and exquisitely decorated. The minarets are beautifully carved and niches are filled with floral and geometrical designs.
Originally the mosque had three domes built above the prayer hall but the largest central dome has collapsed.
One can also see the birds in the open space around this place.
Sidi Bashir Mosque is located opposite to the city railway station in Ahmadabad is one of the historic monument. This mosque was completed in 1452. Unfortunately the body of the mosque was later destroyed in a war between the Marathas and Gujarat Sultanate. But even today the minarets and arched central gateway still remain intact.
Each of this minarets is 100 feet tall and has 3 levels with intricately carved balconies. A gentle shaking of either minaret after climbing to a height of 84 feet results in the other minaret vibrating after a few seconds, though the connecting passage between them remains free of vibration.
Due to this mysterious feature the minarates of mosque are also called Jhulta Minar or Shaking Minarets. The actual reason behind this phenomenon is not yet known.
This minaret strong enough to withstand the pressure of fast moving trains that pass from a close distance. This architects has attributed to the way these minarets have been built layer by layer. The motifs on this minaret are of exceptional craftsmanship.
Inside the Citadel of Champaner, in Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park this was a private mosque built for royal family and nobles of Gujarat Sultanate sometime between 15th and 16th century. The architecture of the mosque is a fusion of Indo-Islamicn style.
The pillars and beams follow Indian style while the column and arch represent Islamic style. There are three arches to which one can enter the mosque. Corresponding to each arched entrance is a large dome in a central row, each surrounded on all four sides by cupolas.
Constructed on a raised platform, the mosque has a large prayer hall with five mihrabs, accessed through central arched entrance flanked by two minarets on both sides.
The interior of the dome is is beautifully carved along with other structures. The external minaret has lot of carvings on it.
Lila Gumbaz Ki Masjid at Champaner is located near the east gate of the former city is a 15th century mosque. It is part of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites as it is part of the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park.
Built on a high plinth, with an arched entrance at the center flanked by two lateral arches. The main arch is flanked by minarets patterned at regular intervals by horizontal cornices and mouldings decorated with niches.
Originally the Masjid had three entrances on East, South and North. It has three domes, the central dome is fluted which was once colored. The domes are carved beautifully.
The pillars of prayer hall and interiors of the dome are beautifully carved.
This mosque is located opposite to St.Xaviers High School in Mirzapur area of Ahmedabad. The mosque was constructed during 1430 - 1440 AD by Sultan Mehmud Beghara and it was named after his wife, Rupmati.
It is one of the most beautiful mosques in the city that showcases Indo Islamic architecture. The high central arch of the mosque is very imposing with slim minarets on either side.
The entrances on the side are flanked by balcony windows. The minarets, windows and perforated stone lattices are richly carved. Its minarets were damaged in the earthquake of 1819.
Its intricate wall carvings, sculptured minarets, beautiful galleries make it architectural gem in the city.
At Ahmedabad there are many places that can visit on the tour of the city. The city has many ancient mosques and one such most famous mosque is Sidi Saiyyed Mosque.
It is the last of the major mosques to be built in the city under the Mughal rule in the year 1573. It is built with yellow sandstone in Indo-Islamic style of architecture. The front of the mosque is very simple with two minarets on the sides of which now only the base exists.
The monument is known for its exquisite ten semi-circular Jhali screens. Each one of these screens are just amazing. The rear wall is filled with square stone pierced panels in geometrical designs.
The carved latticework windows in the western wall are known worldwide and have become a symbol of the city of Ahmedabad. Depicting a tree with intertwining branches, the carvings look like fine lace filigree work, but are hewn from solid stone.
As attested by the marble stone tablet fixed on the wall of the mosque, it was built by Sidi Saiyyed, an Abyssinian in the service of Rumi Khan, the second son of Khudavand Khan, the Governor of Surat during the 10th Gujarat Sultan Mahmud Shah III.
The Brick Minars of Ahmedabad are not as popular as other heritage structures in the city. Still they are no less magnificent when compared to its counterparts. This is the last site we visited before moving out of the city.
They are located next to Ahmedabad Junction railway staion are the only minars in the city built out of bricks. These two magnificent lofty brick minars were part of the mosque which no longer exists. On the minars one can see traces of colored tiles are nearly 31 meters in height.
Their style and material suggest that they might have been built sometime in 16th century. The spiral stairs in the body of the minars can be used to reach the balconies above.
These minars were damaged by the earthquake of January 2001, but are still standing tall.
Methar Mahal constructed in 1620, this is one of the interesting sights in Bijapur (State: Karnataka). Even though by name it is called "Mahal" this is not a place. This is a turret with the Mehtar mosque behind it.
This is a two-storeyed structure with an exquisite entrance. The roof has two delicate minarets standing straight and tall.
This ornamental gateway is an excellent example of the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. It is embellished by a profusion of carvings in the form of brackets supporting the balconies and stone trellis work in Hindu Style.
